In the Name of the Father

Sapta Nirwandar: Joop Ave to be Nominated for Title of Father of National Tourism

(2/9/2014) Indonesia’s Deputy Minister for Tourism and the Creative Economy, Sapta Nirwandar has said it would be appropriate if Joop Ave, the former Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications who died on Wednesday, February 5, 2014, were officially proclaimed “The Father of National Tourism.”

Quoted in Beritabali.com, Sapta said there were many valid reasons for such an honor being bestowed on Joop Ave,

“It is fitting that he be titled the Father of National Tourism. He had so many monumental achievements. There are also many books (he has authored) reflecting his great thoughts and ideas,” said Sapta, speaking at the facility where Ave’s remains lay in state in Denpasar, Bali on Thursday, February 6, 2014.

Sapta said that Joop Ave’s presence in the arena of national tourism identified and strengthened the future course of Indonesia’s tourism industry. Moreover, said the Deputy Minister, the monumental contributions of Joop Ave remain undiminished to this day.

Citing examples, Sapta pointed to the Jakarta International Convention Center, the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Monument project and a number of other endeavors.

Acknowledging that the official bestowing of the title “Father of National Tourism” would have to undergo a formal process set forth under government regulation, he insisted that the title was well deserved by Ave.

Sapta said that any failure by the National Government to give formal recogniton of Joop Ave’s achievements does not the diminish the fact that in the hearts of the Indonesian people, Joop Ave is already considered the “Father of National Tourism.

Sapta indicated that the Ministry of Tourism and the Creative Economy would not hesitate in putting forth Joop Ave’s name for the title as the "Father of National Tourism."